Method and apparatus for preventing leading of
spacebands in line-casting machines



Sept. 20, 1966 G. CURLE 3,273,699

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PREVENTING LEADING OF SPACEBANDS IN LINE-CASTING MACHINES Filed March 12, 1965 FEFE/GEPAT/O/V I NVENTOR. z'ozszl. Uvzzz United States Patent 3,273,699 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PREVENTING LEADING 0F SPACEBANDS IN LINE-CASTING MACHINES George L. Curie, 4324 Zenith Ave. S., Minneapolis, Minn. Filed Mar. 12, 1965, Ser. No. 439,153 9 Claims. (Cl. 199-62) My present invention relates in a broad sense to linecasting machines for printers, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for conditioning a multiplicity of spacebands as they move through the conventional spaceband box to substantially prevent accumulation of metal from the casting of type with matrices. Such accumulations are well known as leading in the trade.

At the present time this leading of the spacebands is a serious problem and unless they are very frequently cleaned, abraded and lubricated, Will impair and break down the side walls of the matrices, which in turn will produce lines and ultimately, ruination of the cast type. Frequent manual scouring, abrading and lubricating of the individual spacebands is usually required which is time consuming, expensive and often not effective. The intense heating produced, when hot metal is brought into contact with the lines of matrices separated by the spacebands, is largely responsible for the leading of the bands. Once a spaceband has even a slight accumulation of the cast metal along one of the edges thereof, it will rapidly accumulate more leading by successive use unless this encrustation is removed with each use.

While the problem of preventing leading on the older and manually operated line-casting machines has existed for many years, the problem is now more acute for the reason that on tape fed machines of the kind now in service, casting up to fifteen lines per minute is possible, greatly increasing the heat on the spaceband at the casting point.

Today, several makes of line-casting machines are available, but exemplary and perhaps best known and more frequently used, is the machine manufactured by Mergenthaler Linotype Company, of New York City, New York, under the trademark Linotype. The general system and apparatus of such line-casting machines with the matrices used with spacebands and the process steps are all well and suitably disclosed in expired Patent No. 1,635,960, issued July 12, 1927, to Mergenthaler Linotype Company.

More specifically, it is an object of my present invention to process each spaceband immediately prior to the use or dropping thereof, by substantially simultaneously chilling each band while applying and spreading a thin, efficient lubricant to the particular edges and portions of each band, which is most subject to leading during its subsequent cooperation with lines of matrices and casting of the type lines.

It is a further object to provide apparatus which is readily attachable to the conventional spaceband boxes or chambers of conventional line-casting machines and systems, by simple removal of a few of the conventional parts at the side of the skeleton frame, and attachment of front and rear walls which have connections, lubricantapply-ing elements and other components which Work in close cooperation in the overall improved method I have conceived and put into practice.

A further and still more specific object is the provision of economical and efiicient method which produces chilling of all the spacebands passing through and within the spaceband box proper, up and to individual dropping of the bands through the vertical chute and into cooperative relation with the matrices, and which method also provides for applying lubricant to the critical edge and surface of each spaceband just prior to its release through the chute, with some cooperative spreading of the lubrica tion through the chilling or cooling medium.

These and other objects of the invention will be more apparent from the following description or specification made in conjunction with the accompanying drawings whereinlike reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation of a spaceband box removed from a line-casting machine of the type previously referred to and showing certain components of my apparatus invention mounted thereon;

FIG. 2 is a rear elevation of the same, showing some of the other elements of the apparatus invention applied and attached to the rear wall of the spaceband box or chamber;

FIG. 3 is an end elevational view at the spaceband entry end of the box;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the upper and rear portion of .a conventional spaceband box with certain parts of my attached apparatus broken away to disclose interior components and details; and

FIG. 5 is a side perspective view showing in detail a conventional type of spaceband detached, and of the improved type having a slide element with arms for slidable engagement with the rails mounted adjacent the upper end of the spaceband box.

Referring to the drawings, a conventional Linotype spaceband box is illustrated, designated as an entirety by the numeral 5, having the conventional skeletonized frame with a front section 5a and rear section 512, said sections being spaced apart ;at the spaceband entrance end of the box, to provide the conventional entrance E with the proper guiding means. The usual spaceband supporting rails R are secured to the top of the box and extend first inwardly approximately horizontally and then downwardly to communication with the conventional discharge chute C. The bot-tom guide channel G of conventional form is spaced at the bottom of the box a proper distance below the rails R, the rearward and lower edge of which communicates with the opening at the top of the discharge chute C. The conventional arms A of the spaceband trip mechanism are aflixed to the end portions of a pivot shaft S for conventional operation and intermittent release of the spacebands, one by one. The central bandcentering and guide member B6 of wedge shape, is disposed as usual at the top and entrance portion of the spaceband box.

The parts of the spaceband box described and other parts or details not described, are conventional as shown in said herein identified patent, No. 1,635,960 and as exemplified in numerous Linotype machines.

The forward section 5a of the spaceband box affords a mounting for certain essential elements of the invention apparatus, including a wall of plate form 8 shaped to completely cover and enclose the openings in the forward section 511 of the spaceband box (as shown in FIG. 1), and may be secured and detachably mounted upon said box by tapping the skeleton frame portion at appropriate points and employing screws or the like 8b for securing the wall. A fitting 8a in the form of an elbow having an attachment flange, is centrally secured to the plate wall 8, communicating with the interior of the spaceband box and as shown, has a threaded outer end for receiving the connector of a conduit (not shown).

My apparatus invention includes a source of refrigerated .air under pressure, which enters the fitting 8 directionally as shown by the arrow 7 and I have found it desirable that the temperature of such air entering the box be in the neighborhood of 30 F. for best results.

Patented Sept. 20, 1966 ,tion of the rear section 512 of the spaceband box.

Diagrammatically, as shown in FIG. 1, a refrigeration unit of some type is supplied having connected therewith a blower or air pump P which has its discharge through suitable conduit connected with the entrance in the fitting 8a.

The supply and maintenance of the circulating refrigerated air in the neighborhood of 30 F. in the conventional spaceband box of Linotype machine inherently has been found during the successive travel of spacebands through the box in recasting operations, to maintain and produce chilling of the spacebands, to drop the spacebands and cause them to enter into the casting operation with the matrices, at temperatures very materially below the temperature of the type-metal. Furthermore, inherently with the use of the apparatus on conventional Linotype machines the bands maintain temperatures very materially below the temperature of the type-metal throughout the entire casting operations which are of course very rapid.

Cooperating with the wall 8 and in function, supplemented by rapid entering chilled air and mounted at the rear of the box is a lubricant-applying mechanism indicated as an entirety by the numeral 9 and including a reservoir 9a which as shown, is generally of triangular cross sectional shape having a flanged rear wall 9b which fits the shape of the skeletonized opening in rear section b of the spaceband box and is attached to the internal edges forming such opening. The rear wall 9b is bent outwardly to form a flange 90 for pivotally supporting one end of a narrow lubricant pad 14 which is shiftable slightly inwardly on an upstanding pivot pin X. Pivot pin X is aflixed at its lower end to the flange 9c near the upper and spaceband entrance portion thereof, and a U-shaped clip 15 pivots on said pin and secures the pad 14 and a tortuously arranged wick strip 10 thereto. The supporting flange 9b formed from the rear wall of the reservoir 9a extends parallel to the upper edges of the rails R and to the lower edge of the upper skeleton por- Thus, an opening is left above the flange 9c for communication with the side edges of spacebands disposed in or passing through the box and the pad 14 is normally protruded to its limit of movement against corresponding edges of the plurality of spacebands contained in or passing through the spaceband box 5, applying at the critical points and edges of the spacebands, a small amount of thin and effective lubricant. Various thin lubricants such as kerosene may be employed, a quantity of which is contained in the container 9a.

A cover plate 11 is provided to enclose the top of the container 9a and to substantially exclude air from the interior of the spaceband box. The medial Portion of the cover is broken away as shown in perspective, FIG. 2,

but its shape and function is clearly shown in side elevation in FIG. 3. As shown, this cover is removably secured by screws 12 which threadedly engage tapped apertures 1111 which may be made in the upper skeleton frame portion of section 5b of the spaceband box.

The narrow lubricant pad 14 and with it the upper portion of the supply wick 10 are urged inwardly against the said adjacent edges of spacebands in the box by suitable means such as a tensioned tortuously bent spring 16 which has its upper end rigidly affixed to the upper end close to entrance end of the flange 9c. Thus, the edge of the pad material as indicated in FIG. 3 projects into the path of travel of the spaceband, particularly just prior to their drop from the rails R, at the lower ends of the rails, to the chute C. The circulation of chilled air into and through leakages in the box assists in spreading the lubricant adjacent the very casting points on said space- :bands and the chilling of the bands with the air of course,

prevents evaporation of lubricant which could occur if the bands are warm or hot.

The combined effect of the refrigerated air and its chilling of the spacebands before excessive dropping thereof with the transfer at the critical edges and casting point portions of the spacebands, has been found to substantially eliminate the leading of spacebands during the line-casting operation with matrices and hot metal.

Therefore, my improved method includes and comprises the substantially simultaneous treatment of the multiplicity of spacebands contained in and moving through a spaceband box with chilled air or other gaseous or vapor medium in circulation and movement, along with the lubrication of marginal and edge portions of the spacebands with a thin, effective lubricant such as kerosene, applied after initial chilling of the spacebands and just prior to or during the dropping of the bands into the feed chute.

It will of course be understood that various equivalents and changes may be made in the apparatus components and the particular exemplary media employed for carrying out my improved method, all without departing from the scope of my invention.

It will be noted from the form illustrated that the initial direction of the chilled air through fitting 8a into the chamber formed between the front and rear walls of the spaceband box, is edgewise of the multiplicity of plates positioned and/ or moving within the confines of the box. Such direction is preferential, but the circulation of entering air under pressure is such, because of the entrance openings and the top openings of the box, that thorough impingement of the air in various paths is assured, even though the air entrance to the box is positioned on any of the walls or corners. This movement of air, particularly on the spacebands which are in approximate discharge, or close to discharge positions, spreads the thin lubricant over a wider area at the important edges and marginal portions adjacent such edges of the spacebands.

What is claimed is:

1. The method of substantially preventing leading of the spacebands in a line-casting, type-forming machine which utilizes a conventional spaceband box with discharge chute, said method consisting in substantially enclosing the front and rear walls of said spaceband box to form an air circulating chamber therein, introducing into said chamber a flowing, chilled gaseous medium such as air having an entering temperature about in the range of 28 to 32 F.,

through the inherent nature of the air circulating chamber formed with substantial enclosures on the front and rear walls of the spaceband box and the normal entrance and discharge apertures, causing said chilled gaseous medium to thoroughly contact and chill the spacebands contained within and moving through said chamber whereby the same, before successive dropping through the discharge chute, are chilled to a temperature resistant to an accumulation of metal thereon in the subsequent conventional casting of line type.

2. The method set forth in preceding claim 1 wherein the chilled gaseous medium is continually introduced in said chamber under pressure and initially directed against and between longitudinal edges of said spacebands within said chamber.

3. The method as set forth in preceding claim 1 further characterized by chilling said gaseous medium to an extent where its temperature, when entering said chamber, will be about in a range of 26 to 35 F.

4. The method of substantially preventing leading of the spacebands in a line-casting, type-forming machine which utilizes a conventional spaceband box having a discharge chute,

said method consisting in subjecting all the spacebands contained within and moving through said spaceband box to a flow and circulation of air chilled to at least a temperature approximating 30 F., and substantially simultaneously applying to the upper portion edges and adjacent marginal parts of each spaceband where leading is most apt to occur a thin lubricant prior to the travel and positioning of each spaceband for discharge,

the circulation of said chilled air within said chamber cooperating with said application of lubricant.

5. The method as set forth in preceding claim 4, further characterized by applying said thin lubricant by rubbing action created through movement and travel of said spacebands in the direction of said discharge chute.

6. Apparatus for substantially eliminating the leading of spacebands in the operation of a line-casting, typeforming machine of the class which includes a conventional skeleton frame, spaceband box with mechanism for successively introducing previously used spacebands therethrough, and mechanism for successively discharging individual spacebands into a delivery chute for subsequent cooperation with matrices in the casting of metal lines of type,

the apparatus improvements which comprise,

means for substantially enclosing said front and rear sections of said spaceband box to form therein an air-circulation chamber,

means for communicating a moving source of chilled gaseous medium such as air into said chamber at a temperature approximating 32 F. while spacebands are contained and passing therethrough for successive subsequent discharge into said chute, whereby the spacebands are chilled to a temperature resistant to accumulation of metal thereon in the subsequent conventional casting of line type by the operation of spacebands with matrices and molten metal.

7. The structure set forth in previous claim 6 further characterized by the enclosing means of one of said sections of said spaceband box having communicating therethrough a conduit element or fitting,

a source of chilled air under pressure, a conduit connecting said source with said fitting or 5 conduit element to introduce said chilled air into the chamber defined within said spaceband box.

8. Apparatus improvements as defined in preceding claim 7, further characterized by mechanism projecting slightly into the confines of said chamber for applying thin lubricant to said spacebands in their travel through said spaceband box prior to positioning of a band in a station for discharge, said application of lubricant being applied in travel of said spacebands through said box at least at the upper edge portions of the suspended spacebands and along the marginal portions next to said edge, where ordinarily leading is most apt to occur.

9. The apparatus improvements set forth in preceding claim 8, wherein said lubricant-applying mechanism includes a lubricant reservoir mounted on the enclosing 20 means for one of the sections of said spaceband box,

and a shiftable applicator pad with means for normally protruding a portion of said pad into said chamber in contact with spacebands approaching the discharge posit-ion, and means for supplying said pad with lubricant from said reservoir.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,168,411 8/1939 Kellar 199-62 2,866,990 1/ 1959 Donehower 15-93 2,917,159 12/1959 Hilpman 100-67 X ROBERT E. PULFREY, Primary Examiner.

WILLIAM MCCARTHY, Assistant Examiner. 

1. THE METHOD OF SUBSTANTIALLY PREVENTING LEADING OF THE SPACEBANDS IN A LINE-CASTING, TYPE-FORMING MACHINE WHICH UTILIZES A CONVENTIONAL SPACEBAND BOX WITH DISCHARGE CHUTE, SAID METHOD CONSISTING IN SUBSTANTIALLY ENCLOSING THE FRONT AND REAR WALLS OF SAID SPACEBAND BOX TO FORM AN AIR CIRCULATING CHAMBER THEREIN, INTRODUCING INTO SAID CHAMBER A FLOWING, CHILLED GASEOUS MEDIUM SUCH AS AIR HAVING AN ENTERING TEMPERATURE ABOUT IN THE RANGE OF 28 TO 32*F., THROUGH THE INHERENT NATURE OF THE AIR CIRCULATING CHAMBER FORMED WITH SUBSTANTIAL ENCLOSURES ON THE FRONT AND REAR WALLS OF THE SPACEBAND BOX AND THE NORMAL ENTRANCE AND DISCHARGE APERTURES, CAUSING SAID CHILLED GASEOUS MEDIUM TO THOROUGHLY CONTACT AND CHILL THE SPACEBANDS CONTAINED WITHIN AND MOVING THROUGH SAID CHAMBER WHEREBY THE SAME, BEFORE SUCCESSIVE DROPPING THROUGH THE DISCHARGE CHUTE, ARE CHILLED TO A TEMPERATURE RESISTANT TO AN ACCUMULATION OF METAL THEREON IN THE SUBSEQUENT CONVENTIONAL CASTING OF LINE TYPE. 